The Cubs came from 14-0 down to defeat Newcastle Falcons 47-28 at Kingsholm Stadium on Finals Day to finish ninth in the Academy Under 18s League.
An explosive end to the first half saw Bristol score four tries with George Williams, Jeke Bulanauca and Frey Lant crossing the line, in addition to a penalty try.
In the second half Glen Gammell and Arthur Guyot added themselves to the scoresheet alongside a powerful driving maul try in the in the 37th minute.
The Falcons scored a brace of tries in the opening quarter of an hour to race into a 14-0 lead but the Cubs fought back having lots of possession in the Newcastle 22.
After a number of phases in Falcons territory, Bristol looked to pass the ball wide to the left wing but an Alfie Warwick knockdown prevented Bruno Lamb’s pass from getting to Bulanauca and resulted in a penalty try.
Warwick was also shown a yellow card for his actions and during his period in the sin bin the Cubs were electric.
George Williams was the first to benefit from the Cubs man advantage as he connected with Bulanauca after a sublime line break to dive over between the posts. Lamb converted Williams’ try to level the score at 14-14.
Two minutes later the Cubs bagged their third, after three or four phases deep in the Newcastle 22, Lamb looked to go over the top to Bulanauca again – only this time he was successful as the speedy winger caught the ball and crossed the paint, giving Bristol the lead for the first time in the match.
Almost as soon as Warwick returned to the field, the Falcons were shown a second yellow card as Elvis Kitenge-Fuki prevented Evan Russell from taking a tap penalty five metres out from the Newcastle line.
With the tighthead prop off, Lant took a tap penalty of his own and showed unreal strength to carry over, securing the Cubs fourth try.
Lamb kicked another conversion in the final play of the half to give Bristol a handsome 28-14 lead at the interval.
The Cubs momentum continued into the second half, earning and kicking a penalty to the corner to have a lineout on the five metre line.
Kieran Hill threw the ball to Osain Williams and watched a pile of bodies rumble over the Newcastle line as Bristol were awarded try number five, with Lamb still flawless from the tee.
Ten minutes later the Cubs scored again after a brilliant line break by Evan Morris helped him set up Gammell to dive over in the left corner to make the score 40-14.
After conceding 40 unanswered points, Newcastle finally scored their third but again Bristol replied quickly.
Guyot saw the ball at the back of a ruck less than a metre out from the Falcons line, picked it up and carried over; Lamb converted the try to extend the lead to 47-21 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the match.
Newcastle had the last say in the game, scoring late on, but it was not enough as the Cubs ran out 47-28 winners in Gloucester.
